- Expropriation of farms in Krahô-Kanela land is stuck and they may be evicted from it once again

- Seminar gathers Chiquitano peoples and organizations which support their cause in Cáceres, state of Mato Grosso

EXPROPRIATION OF FARMS IN KRAHÔ-KANELA LAND IS STUCK AND THEY MAY BE EVICTED FROM IT ONCE AGAIN

The Krahô-Kanela people may be displaced by force once again. Three months ago, on August 17, 2006, the presidents of Funai and Incra signed a joint administrative ruling expropriating two farms in the Krahô-Kanela land, in the state of Tocantins. But Funai has not issued an expropriation request yet and the matter must still be analyzed by the ministry of Justice and the Office of the President of the Republic before the latter can issue a decree expropriating the area.

The current owners of the farms had agreed with the expropriation and, after the respective agreement was signed, the indigenous people were able to return to the area in question to live in it again. However, because Funai failed to take objective measures to expropriate the farms timely, the farmers informed the indigenous people last week that they will file a repossession suit requesting the eviction of the Krahô-Kanela from the land in question.

Funds amounting to 8 million reais have been released by Incra to expropriate the farms and are available in a bank account of the Foundation waiting for the agency itself to take the necessary measures to proceed with the expropriation. Funay's press advisory department reported that the process will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice next week, before the expropriation deadline expires, because, in the work plan established in the agreement, the deadline was between September and December. However, Funai failed to take into account the long time that it takes for the process to be reviewed by other federal agencies. 

After living as pilgrims for three decades, the Krahô-Kanela have been, since 2001, confined to a house built in an old garbage dump site in the city of Gurupi, state of Tocantins, which lacks sanitary facilities and where they are exposed to diseases and socially degrading conditions which also affect their family structure as a result of their confinement.

The expropriation provided for in the administrative ruling issued in August refers to 7,000 hectares located in an area claimed by the Krahô Kanela, which they now refer to as "Mata Alagada," located in the municipality of Lagoa da Confusão, state of Tocantins.

Seminar gathers Chiquitano people and organizations which support their cause in Cáceres, state of Mato Grosso

“I belong to the Chiquitano people, this is the issue! I am a mestizo or an indigenous person and why not? My eyes express my thirst for justice, liberation.” This is what could be read in one of the banners held by participants in the 1st Meeting for Asserting the Rights of the Chiquitano Peoples, which was held in Cáceres, state of Mato Grosso, on November 10-12.

Strong feelings, beauty, outrage, reports of wrongdoings, but, mainly, words of pride, strength and determination were voiced by hundreds of members of Chiquitano peoples of Brazil and Bolivia during the seminar. The members of these people live in the two countries in communities located next to their borders.

The main issue to be tackled for ensuring the survival of the Chiquitano people in Brazil today is ensuring their right to their lands. “Our lands have been taken from us, our rivers have been polluted, our forests have been destroyed. They wanted to steal our dreams, our culture, our hope... But we didn't let them do that. We are here and we will fight to the end to reoccupy our lands to live well and with dignity in them,” one of the Chiquitano leaders said in an emotional statement.

The seminar was organized by the University of the State of Mato Grosso, the Fase and Organized Youth in Education and Action NGOs, and the Ministry of Land Development, and was supported by Cimi, Funai, the Anchieta Mission, Formad, pastorals, parishes and local movements. It marked a moment of solidarity and commitment assumed by representatives of over fifty civil-society organizations and governmental agencies who attended the Meeting. Besides discussions, cultural events and musical performances were held.

Brasília, November 16, 2006

Cimi – Indianist Missionary Council

www.cimi.org.br